As the title says, what test curve rod would you use for surface fishing if the fish go up to upper 30's. There's not many snags on the water but there are reeds around the edges that the fish can head for. I've got 2lb barbel rods, 2.75 cheap carp rod and my main rods are 3lb test. What would you guys suggest, thanks in advance 
In reply to Post #1
2 LB Through action, but 1lb would be ok
2 LB Through action, but 1lb would be ok
In reply to Post #1
Poss the barbel rod you have, but it depends on the action. Some barbel rods can be pretty stiff
Poss the barbel rod you have, but it depends on the action. Some barbel rods can be pretty stiff
In reply to Post #3
Through action rod and me personally I use a 2 1/2 test curve
Through action rod and me personally I use a 2 1/2 test curve
In reply to Post #1
The barbel rods will be closest to what you want. I prefer a soft tip and bit of grunt in the lower half, a floppy rod isn't as good for line control/pick up when float or floater fishing
The barbel rods will be closest to what you want. I prefer a soft tip and bit of grunt in the lower half, a floppy rod isn't as good for line control/pick up when float or floater fishing
Thanks guys. These are the barbel rods I have which states powerful butt section for casting big baits and leads so hopefully should do the job.
https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/wychwood-maximiser-twin-tip-rod
https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/wychwood-maximiser-twin-tip-rod
In reply to Post #6
They should be good for what your doing mate
They should be good for what your doing mate
In reply to Post #7
Cheers mate
Cheers mate
In reply to Post #1
Yes I agree with what others have said in using your 2lb TC barbel rod. If it has a nice through action you will be able to use sensibly light hook lengths and mainline. The light tip will also allow you to mend the line quickly and efficiently with a flick. I have used rods up to 2.75lb TC for floater fishing and although it can be used, a lighter TC rod in most scenarios is a better tool to use.
Yes I agree with what others have said in using your 2lb TC barbel rod. If it has a nice through action you will be able to use sensibly light hook lengths and mainline. The light tip will also allow you to mend the line quickly and efficiently with a flick. I have used rods up to 2.75lb TC for floater fishing and although it can be used, a lighter TC rod in most scenarios is a better tool to use.
In reply to Post #1
My answer is going to be slightly different, I'd say try all your rods and pick the one which YOU prefer and which suits YOUR way of fishing. A lot of advice out on the net is stereotypical, light TC, balanced set up, it's all good advice but you have to make your mind up. I see no problem in you using your 3lb rods, if they're good enough to play Carp on normally they should be perfectly good to play floater caught fish on, it's not as if you even need to strike using semi fixed bolt surface rigs, I never do, just lift into it.
My answer is going to be slightly different, I'd say try all your rods and pick the one which YOU prefer and which suits YOUR way of fishing. A lot of advice out on the net is stereotypical, light TC, balanced set up, it's all good advice but you have to make your mind up. I see no problem in you using your 3lb rods, if they're good enough to play Carp on normally they should be perfectly good to play floater caught fish on, it's not as if you even need to strike using semi fixed bolt surface rigs, I never do, just lift into it.
In reply to Post #10
100% agree with this,
As you are the one using the rods have a play with them till you find what you're comfortable with.
I think a lot of the generic reasoning behind why you may need a dedicated rod for floater fishing etc is mainly the same as most items produced " to catch the angler "
You will know your rod and how it handle so you would adjust to use it in an effective way.
Yesterday I broke my PB floater fishing with one of my normal 3.5lb Aircurvs and had 0 issues.
Give it a go and use what you're comfortable with, there's no right or wrong answer mate. Personal preference.
100% agree with this,
As you are the one using the rods have a play with them till you find what you're comfortable with.
I think a lot of the generic reasoning behind why you may need a dedicated rod for floater fishing etc is mainly the same as most items produced " to catch the angler "
You will know your rod and how it handle so you would adjust to use it in an effective way.
Yesterday I broke my PB floater fishing with one of my normal 3.5lb Aircurvs and had 0 issues.
Give it a go and use what you're comfortable with, there's no right or wrong answer mate. Personal preference.
Thanks guys, I'll have a play with what I've got here and see what pans out
In reply to Post #10
I wouldn't fancy my floater rods for chucking the big bolt bubbles 100yds, in the same way I wouldn't fancy flicking a tiny bit of floating putty with my 3.25 rods
That said I'd go with the barbel rod as plan a, usually fairly soft in the tip and able to chuck the bigger bubbles a good distance. Most of my floater fishing is within spitting distance tho
I wouldn't fancy my floater rods for chucking the big bolt bubbles 100yds, in the same way I wouldn't fancy flicking a tiny bit of floating putty with my 3.25 rods
That said I'd go with the barbel rod as plan a, usually fairly soft in the tip and able to chuck the bigger bubbles a good distance. Most of my floater fishing is within spitting distance tho
In reply to Post #11
Or you, the angler was caught thinking you need 3.5lb rods in the first place and a 2lb barbel rod could land 90% of carp 🤷🏻♂️
Or you, the angler was caught thinking you need 3.5lb rods in the first place and a 2lb barbel rod could land 90% of carp 🤷🏻♂️
In reply to Post #14
On that logic you could potentially say that for many different T/C rods, You could be right but you don't know what I do/don't go angling for.
As you know just because it's a "3.5lb" rod doesn't mean it's a broomstick or anymore powerful than a 2.75lb rod.
Some 2.75lb and probably lower can put the same pressure if not more than a 3.5lb.
A lot of the deciding factors are how the rod feels to the angler, if it's the right action to suit what they like or if the length from feel seat to arm is correct for them etc hence the personal preference.
On that logic you could potentially say that for many different T/C rods, You could be right but you don't know what I do/don't go angling for.
As you know just because it's a "3.5lb" rod doesn't mean it's a broomstick or anymore powerful than a 2.75lb rod.
Some 2.75lb and probably lower can put the same pressure if not more than a 3.5lb.
A lot of the deciding factors are how the rod feels to the angler, if it's the right action to suit what they like or if the length from feel seat to arm is correct for them etc hence the personal preference.
In reply to Post #15
With high test curve rods when your playing a carp in from a distance I usually don't put too much pressure on when close in and try to keep the fight out in open water to tire them as I worry about damaging their mouths.
The amount of pressure that is exerted can lead to mouth damage the higher the test curve the greater the risk in my opinion.
I can see that being the case with floater fishing and trying to stop a carp from charging to a snag.
I'd tend to agree a softer through actioned rod would be my choice. - 2 to 2.5lbs test.
With high test curve rods when your playing a carp in from a distance I usually don't put too much pressure on when close in and try to keep the fight out in open water to tire them as I worry about damaging their mouths.
The amount of pressure that is exerted can lead to mouth damage the higher the test curve the greater the risk in my opinion.
I can see that being the case with floater fishing and trying to stop a carp from charging to a snag.
I'd tend to agree a softer through actioned rod would be my choice. - 2 to 2.5lbs test.
Biggest factor to me is weight. Ive used my 13ft horizon XT just fine, but its a back breaker holding it for any period of time.
Except the reach and casting ability every aspect of a ‘carp' rod is detrimental to surface fishing.
High tc rods don't really apply any pressure either, it's in your head, whoever said that
High tc rods don't really apply any pressure either, it's in your head, whoever said that
In reply to Post #18
A bit of an enigma this, for me anyway. Whilst I'm pretty sure I could put more ultimate pressure on a fish with my 10ft MK4, I feel more in control of a fish using a Ballista 2.75. I regularly use both for floater fishing in a weedy water, out of about 10 fish only two weeded me up badly, both were whilst using the MK4.
A bit of an enigma this, for me anyway. Whilst I'm pretty sure I could put more ultimate pressure on a fish with my 10ft MK4, I feel more in control of a fish using a Ballista 2.75. I regularly use both for floater fishing in a weedy water, out of about 10 fish only two weeded me up badly, both were whilst using the MK4.
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